S2 Episode 16 — “You’re Not Lazy — You’re Living in Survival Mode”

"You’re not lazy. You’re exhausted from carrying what no one sees."

Let that sink in.
What you’ve been calling laziness? It’s not a flaw.
It’s survival mode — a nervous system locked in protection, not production.

In this powerful episode of the Get Up Show Up Never Give Up podcast, we’re dismantling the shame around burnout, procrastination, and “not doing enough” — and replacing it with a science-backed recovery plan that works. You’ll learn exactly why your brain and body have been stuck in shutdown, and how to guide yourself back into a state of energy, safety, and momentum without guilt.

🔍 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• The science of survival mode — and why it’s a biological response, not a personal failure
• How chronic stress rewires your brain (McEwen, 2006) and traps you in fatigue loops
• The R.E.S.T. Protocol to break free from burnout and rebuild consistency
• Why peace can feel uncomfortable — and how to retrain your body to trust it again
• Nervous system regulation techniques from Polyvagal Theory (Porges, 2011)
• How to transition from “I can’t” to “I did” with safe productivity and emotional pacing

🧠 Featuring Research From:

• McEwen, B. S. (2006) — Chronic stress and brain function
• Polyvagal Theory — Dr. Stephen Porges, 2011
• Kristin Neff, Ph.D. — Self-compassion as a driver for lasting change
• Shahram Heshmat, Ph.D. — Stress addiction and dopamine withdrawal

🛠️ Tools & Takeaways:

• Cue-based micro-habits to rebuild action without overwhelm
• The Stillness Reframe for stress detox
• Weekly nervous system check-ins to track real progress
• Scripts for responding to people who “don’t get it”
• The Gentle Reframe Practice for replacing self-criticism with compassion

🎯 This Episode is for You If:

• You’ve been calling yourself lazy, unmotivated, or “behind”
• You’ve been stuck in cycles of burnout and guilt
• You want to rebuild your energy, trust, and forward motion
• You’re ready to rise without hustle culture pressure

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📅 New episodes every Monday & Thursday

Call to Action:
💬 Subscribe and leave a review on your favorite platform
📸 Screenshot this episode and tag @GetUpShowUpNeverGiveUp with your biggest takeaway
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💬 The real flex isn’t burning out — it’s learning how to heal in a world that glorifies exhaustion.